Sparrow

From her nest inside “a dusty crack” high in Jerusalem’s Western Wall, a sparrow once again “awakens to voices singing and church bells ringing,” writes Tebo, making her picture book debut. Looking down, the bird observes people as usual gathered for prayers, but today is different for Sparrow, who knows that “something is going to happen.” To prepare, she journeys through the city seeking food and nesting materials. Watercolors by Lewis (Everywhere Beauty Is Harlem)—balancing the spontaneity of field sketches with polished landscapes—capture the play of her feathers against sunlight and ancient stones. Finally, Sparrow discovers what the nest needs: prayer notes, paper wishes that worshippers have tucked into the Wall’s crevices. When Sparrow’s egg arrives (“so big, she can hardly believe she had carried it inside for so long”), it touchingly mirrors the prayers as an expression of hope in the world. Includes contextualizing end notes. Ages 4–8. (Aug.)